Its not really that hard to make things turn out nice. Its taken me more hours of thinking and scratching things on paper than I have actually doing work on it. The main key is to take your time and think about EVERYTHING and anything that can be affected by what you're doing. Think of it like a chess game, you're always a few steps ahead mentally than where you are at physically. I make templates for everything if you guys havent caught on. it used to be poster board then cardboard and now I like MDF, it cuts nicely and it's rigid enough to hold it's shape. The thickness is nice because it represents what you'll be working with to within about 1/16" so it makes everything come together cleaner in the end. I'll cut a notch 8 times over again until it's perfect, 1/8" at a time. if you start out slow and careful the speed will come with time. I'm nowhere near fast but I can get things done pretty quickly while keeping it accurate. I think the most the chassis is out is about 1/4" and that's measured diagonally from one end to the other. it's not perfect but it's close enough for what it's going to be.

The only thing I can recommend is to make templates, make 5 for every part and pick the one you like the best. I havent used too many fancy tools. I had Tab cut out a lot of stuff that would take my hours but other than that I use a $200 4x6" horizontal/vertical band saw for 75% of everything. I notch most of the time with the band saw and then clean it up on the bench grinder, I rarely use the mill for notching and that could be replaced by a simple drill and holesaw notcher. Most importantly, take your time and think it through and it'll turn out like you'd hoped.

The biggest asset in building rigs is being willing to rebuild something no matter what stage you are with it. I have cut a lot of finished parts off because there were interference issues, or it just didn't flow right.

If your willing to just sack up and start over without being pissed, stuff will go a lot easier.

Its not really that hard to make things turn out nice. Its taken me more hours of thinking and scratching things on paper than I have actually doing work on it. The main key is to take your time and think about EVERYTHING and anything that can be affected by what you're doing. Think of it like a chess game, you're always a few steps ahead mentally than where you are at physically. I make templates for everything if you guys havent caught on. it used to be poster board then cardboard and now I like MDF, it cuts nicely and it's rigid enough to hold it's shape. The thickness is nice because it represents what you'll be working with to within about 1/16" so it makes everything come together cleaner in the end. I'll cut a notch 8 times over again until it's perfect, 1/8" at a time. if you start out slow and careful the speed will come with time. I'm nowhere near fast but I can get things done pretty quickly while keeping it accurate. I think the most the chassis is out is about 1/4" and that's measured diagonally from one end to the other. it's not perfect but it's close enough for what it's going to be.

The only thing I can recommend is to make templates, make 5 for every part and pick the one you like the best. I havent used too many fancy tools. I had Tab cut out a lot of stuff that would take my hours but other than that I use a $200 4x6" horizontal/vertical band saw for 75% of everything. I notch most of the time with the band saw and then clean it up on the bench grinder, I rarely use the mill for notching and that could be replaced by a simple drill and holesaw notcher. Most importantly, take your time and think it through and it'll turn out like you'd hoped.

$0.02

I like your advice, I don't have a bandsaw yet but my angle and die grinders are my best friends.
Great build by the way.

The biggest asset in building rigs is being willing to rebuild something no matter what stage you are with it. I have cut a lot of finished parts off because there were interference issues, or it just didn't flow right.

If your willing to just sack up and start over without being pissed, stuff will go a lot easier.

This is great advice and oh so true. I have redone stuff that looked good to some people but I hated it and made it right. You also have to not be afraid to just try something else and cut it up.